Masula Port project: government eyeing Salt Commission's land.

In an attempt to pacify irate farmers, the government is exploring the option of acquiring nearly 970 acres owned by the Salt Commission for the proposed deep sea port at Machilipatnam. The government resorted to the option, as farmers in the proposed area made it clear that they would not allow fertile land to be acquired for the project.

Speaking to The Hindu , Excise and B.C. Welfare Minister K. Ravindra recently said the government would request the Centre to spare the identified 970 acres for the project near Manginapudi beach.

'The proposal has been discussed with the Chief Minister, who will soon make an appeal to the Central government. This is the only option with us to exempt the proposed private land from the project,' he said.

Of the total of 970 acres, nearly 400 acres owned by the Salt Commission is used for salt cultivation, and small farmers have been given lease on it near the beach. “There will be no change in the alignment of the main port area. The initiation is to exclude the land from the proposed 2,800 of private land,” Mr. Ravindra said.

According to the port proposal, the area near Manginapudi village does not fall under the main port project area.


THE HINDU